As Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk today spoke to the Dutch media, he couldn’t avoid talking about the disappointing season the Reds have been having so far.
As Jurgen Klopp’s side stand 8th place in the Premier League, the defence seems to be one of the biggest problems in the team, and the 31-year-old acknowledged that in an interview with Algemeen Dagblad.
“I know I could have done better. I’m not naive, I also know very well that I make mistakes. That happens in football, everyone knows that,” said van Dijk (via Soccer News).
“I also know that I am one of the important players, at my club and with the Oranje squad. I also feel that responsibility very much. I try to show the best version of myself every game, every training. It’s not so easy.”
With Liverpool’s 4-1 defeat to Ajax in the Champions League probably the most shocking moment the Reds went through this season, the defender pointed out the impact that result had on him for the upcoming games he’d play.
“Hopefully that was also a tipping point. Later against Ajax and now with the Oranje against Poland, it went well. That certainly offers something to build on and to draw confidence from.
“In that week towards the match against Ajax, we spoke really well with each other. That does not mean that it can no longer happen in the future, a lesser match is always possible.”
Van Dijk captained the Netherlands in the Nations League match against Poland last night, with the Oranje winning 2-0 away from home. They’re now set to face Belgium on Sunday.
The defender then heads back to Liverpool, where there’s plenty to be done for the Reds to get in better shape, as they prepare to play Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on the 1st of October.
